HPV Vaccine Gardasil 9 for Boys

Gardasil 9 is a vaccine (immunization) that protects against human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a virus spread through sexual contact and consists of multiple strains or types. While some strains of HPV come and go without symptoms, some can cause cancer while others can cause genital warts.

HPV vaccination prevents nine high-risk types of HPV linked to cancer, predominately cervical cancer but also cancer of the anus, vagina, vulva, penis, mouth, tonsils, and throat.

This article reviews why the vaccine is recommended for males and the vaccine schedule. It also covers the risks, safety, and effectiveness of the vaccine.

When the original Gardasil was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006, it was recommended for girls and women ages 9 to 26 only. It was only in 2011 that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the vaccine should be given to boys and men 9 to 26.

In 2018, the CDC further expanded its recommendation so that men and women ages 27 to 45 can opt for HPV vaccination after consultation with a healthcare provider.

Rationale

The FDA and CDC decided to extend the use of Gardasil to boys based on studies that showed that HPV increases the risk of anal cancer by 17- to 20-fold in men and women and that the risk in men who have sex with men (MSM) may be increased by as much as 70-fold.

What's more, the virus is spread through sexual contact, which means that a male who is infected with HPV can pass it to another male or female. By preemptively vaccinating boys before they are sexually active, the spread of infection can be reduced along with a boy's risk of anal, penile, and oropharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancer in later life.

HPV Infection in Males

According to the CDC, an estimated 79 million people in the United States are infected with HPV. There are over 200 types of HPV, 40 or so of which are sexually transmitted. The majority do not cause cancer, and some cause no symptoms at all.

Genital Warts

A handful of low-risk HPV types are responsible for genital warts, of which 90% are linked to HPV types 6 and 11. In males, warts may occur on the penis, scrotum, testicles, anus, groin, or thighs.

In most cases, genital warts pose no major health risks, although they may be unsightly and embarrassing. Some will resolve on their own; others may require medical treatment to remove them (although recurrence is common).

Cancer

However, the types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as those that can cause cancer. Most people who become infected with these do not know that they have been infected.

These high-risk types, called oncogenic HPV, can linger and cause normal cells to turn cancerous—although it is not entirely clear why. While the type of HPV plays a large role in this, so can co-occurring conditions like HIV, which is already linked to an increased risk of many types of cancer.

Moreover, over 30% of penile cancers are linked to two specific HPV types, type 16 and type 18. These are two types targeted by Gardasil 9 and the ones linked to most cervical cancers, anal cancers, and other HPV-associated cancers. Of the 20,000 new anal cancer cases each year (worldwide), an estimated 90% were caused by HPV.

Immunization Schedule

The CDC recommendations for HPV vaccination are the same for boys and girls. The ideal age to receive Gardasil 9 is between 11 and 12, when most people are not yet sexually active.

Anyone through the age of 26 should also be vaccinated if they have not previously done so or have not completed the recommended series.

Even so, vaccination during the preteen years is preferred as people are less likely to have been exposed to the virus and generally have a better immune response to the vaccine.

The recommended dosage of Gardasil 9 varies by age.

It is important to note that while the FDA approved HPV vaccination in people ages 27 to 45, the CDC recommends "shared clinical decision-making" regarding HPV vaccination in this age group.

This is because is benefits of vaccination may be low given that the majority of people will have already gotten HPV by the time they are 27. By discussing your medical and sexual history with your healthcare provider, you can decide whether HPV vaccination is appropriate.

Contraindications

Gardasil 9 should not be used by anyone who:

• Has had a hypersensitive reaction to a prior dose of the vaccine
• Has a history of an immediate hypersensitive reaction to yeast, as the vaccine is produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast)

Those with a latex allergy can safely take Gardasil 9. While there is a formulation that contains latex, it is no longer used in the United States.

While there is no evidence that the vaccine will negatively affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby, most providers will delay the vaccination until after pregnancy.

Side Effects

In clinical trials, Gardasil 9 was found to be safe and effective, although it may cause mild, transient side effects in some people, including:

• Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Fever, usually mild
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Muscle or joint pain

Summary

The HPV vaccine, Gardasil 9 protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) with multiple strains. Some strains or types come and go on their own without ever causing symptoms. However, high risk strains can cause cancers and low-risk strains can cause genital warts. While HPV is not curable, it is treatable. 

The HPV vaccine is recommended for both male and females. The CDC recommends starting the vaccine around ages 11 or 12. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends starting at age nine to ensure the vaccine has been given before a person becomes sexually active.

A Word From Verywell

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. While HPV will usually go away on its own, this shouldn't suggest you should take any chances with your child.

Unlike most vaccines recommended by the CDC, HPV vaccination is mandated by only a small handful of states. In fact, as of 2020, only Hawaii, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico required HPV vaccination in school children.

It, therefore, leaves it up to you as a parent to get your child vaccinated if your state or school does include Gardasil 9 on its vaccine schedule.